Theaters won’t show tough film on child rape

Friday

Sep 26, 2008 at 12:01 AMSep 26, 2008 at 8:18 PM

Theaters have pulled out of screening the controversial Dakota Fanning film “Hounddog,” that was scheduled to open today in the Boston area but stopped short of saying they caved to pressure from a family-values group.

Dana Barbuto

Theaters have pulled out of screening the controversial Dakota Fanning film “Hounddog,” that was scheduled to open today in the Boston area but stopped short of saying they caved to pressure from a family-values group.

At issue is a scene in which a teenage boy rapes Fanning’s character. Mired in controversy since its debut at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, the movie was finally released to limited markets on Sept. 19. Its distributor is Empire Film Group Inc.

Set in the deep South during the 1950s, “Hounddog” centers around Fanning’s 12-year-old character who worships Elvis Presley and believes he’ll add her to his entourage after he sees her dance.

The far-right Christian group Concerned Women for America called for the film to be banned, saying it’s akin to child pornography.

The AMC theater in Braintree is one of 300 in that chain not showing “Hounddog.”

“I’m glad that America doesn’t seem quite ready to see the exploitation of children,” said Donna Miller, who is spearheading the boycott for the CWA. “This film went too far. Critics have told me they’ve never seen a child prance around in her undies so much on screen. Of course we’re happy that people haven’t accepted this film.”

Miller said she hasn’t seen “Hounddog” but has read the script. “Off the script alone is enough to protest,” adding that one must not have to see rape to know rape.

In a prepared statement AMC said it pulled the film because of a business decision regarding ticket sales. “Hounddog” played in 11 theaters across the U.S. and took in $12,500, according to box office reports.

National Amusements, with theaters in Dedham, Foxboro and Randolph also pulled the film.

“We are not playing the picture in any of our theaters,” said Wanda Whitson, the spokeswoman for National Amusements, declining to elaborate.

The Motion Picture Association of America gave “Hounddog” an R rating for “a disturbing sexual assault of a young girl, and brief sexuality.” The rape scene occurs just less than an hour into the film and though disturbing, it is shot discreetly with the camera focused tight on Fanning’s face. No nudity is seen.

Films that have run into problems in the past for depicting sensitive issues involving children include Brooke Shields’ “Pretty Baby” and Jodie Foster’s role in the 1976 film “Taxi Driver.”

The National Organziation for Women’s Hollywood chapter has endorsed the film and applauds filmmaker Deborah Kampmeier for taking on a difficult subject such as child rape and being bold enough to share it.

“We need to be telling stories like this. How Fanning’s character transforms from victim to survivor is powerful stuff,” said Lindsey Horvatch, president of Hollywood Chapter of NOW. “It’s not even close to child porn; that’s ludicrous to me. The subject matter was difficult, yes, but it was well told, well done and poignant.”

Eric Parkinson, the CEO of distribution for Empire Film Group Inc., called the boycott of “Hounddog” disturbing.

“We’ve been carpet-bombed and unfairly targeted by this group purporting to stand for exactly what they are protesting ... Their charges are salacious and horrible.”

“I think people in the Boston area would really like it,” he said, adding they are looking for independent theaters, such as the Landmark Theatres, which has cinemas in Cambridge and Waltham, to play the film.